Question NW244 to the Minister of Home Affairs
03 March 2025 - NW244
Thring, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) With reference to a pressing concern regarding the issuance of smart identity documents (IDs) to naturalised citizens, what are the reasons that naturalised citizens are currently ineligible for smart IDs; (2) whether his department has investigated the circumstances of the specified matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether his department will (a) conduct an investigation and (b) assist those affected on a path forward; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
- Home Affairs is acutely aware of, and regrets, the insecurity and distress this issue is causing. Since assuming office, I have directed that work be sped up to enable all qualifying persons to obtain the more secure Smart ID Cards (SIDC). However, severe IT constraints have emerged as a major obstacle in this regard, and urgent work is ongoing to resolve the challenges.
- Yes, failures by the current IT service provider have emerged as a serious obstacle infringing on the Department’s ability to deliver the required changes to enable naturalised citizens and permanent residents to obtain SIDCs, and is being addressed with the necessary urgency.
- (a) See paragraph 2
(b) While work is being done to expand access to all through IT system changes, the Department does assist naturalised citizens wth SIDC through invitation to prospective applicants, however, the process entails a manual verification process that limits access. The issue is receiving top priority.
END.